Concertone for two Violins and Orchestra

Mozart simply wrote "Concertone" (large concert) on the autograph score.[7] An Italian term which meant more than one soloist with an accompanying orchestra, similar to a symphonie concertante. Leopold Mozart also called the work a concertone in his copy. The title page of the score only refers to two solo violins and orchestra. But the music contains notable solo writing for the oboe, cello and with a few passages for divided violas and for a solo double bass.[5]

One of Mozart's earliest concertos, the Concertone has similarities in form to the earlier concerto grosso form, as well as contemporary concertante works. Such as Joseph Haydn's symphonies 6 to 8, Le Matin, Le Midi and Le Soir, and similar styled works by J.C. Bach. This form of writing was popular in Paris at the time. The flautist Johann Baptist Wendling was enthusiastic about the Concertone and arranged to have it performed in Paris or possibly Mannheim. Wendling exclaimed "it is just the thing for Paris".[8] The Mozart scholar Alexander Hyatt King remarked "a hybrid work in which the old genre got a new soul … the juxtaposition of baroque concerto grosso instruments mixes well with the new galant style”.[9]

The three movements are marked: I. Allegro spiritoso in common time , II Andantino grazioso in F major in triple time ³
₄, III. Tempo minuetto - Vivace in triple time ³
₄.

The first movement shows similarities to the French style of writing at the time, however the dynamic markings are more of the Mannheim style. Mozart wrote out the cadenza for the first movement. The extended long second movement displays lyrical trills and a masterful polyphonic interaction of the solo performers. The minuet finale is cheerful and at a faster tempo, also affording the soloists opportunities to display their virtuosic skills.[8][4][5] A typical performance lasts between 25 and 30 minutes.[1]

Two solo violins, two oboes, two French horns, two trumpets and strings.[1][7]